Paradise Valley mayor: Inroads made in couple's murder case

As cleaning crews Friday cleared out parts of the home where a Paradise Valley couple were murdered earlier this week, the mystery of who murdered them and left them to burn inside the house remained.

Paradise Valley police investigators declined Friday to confirm reports that they had made an arrest in the homicides of Lawrence and Glenna Shapiro.

The mayor told The Republic that "significant progress" had been made to capture those involved.

Multiple reports surfaced during the day, including reports from 12 News, that several arrests had been made in the slayings of the two well-known philanthropists, according to sources close to the investigation. But police officials declined to confirm whether they had anyone in custody on Friday.

"Throughout the day, we have been continuing to follow leads and thoroughly examine pertinent and relative information," Paradise Valley police Cmdr. Alan Laitsch said in a prepared statement. "Because the examination of evidence and facts we know thus far is still ongoing, the decision has been made not to release any further information at this time as it may have the potential to compromise the integrity of the investigation."

Paradise Valley Mayor Scott LeMarr expressed optimism. He was a friend to both Lawrence, 79, and Glenna, 78.

"Absolutely astronomical strides have been made since Monday," he said Friday. But the mayor stopped short of confirming that arrests were made in the murder.

The Shapiros were discovered bound and burned beyond recognition inside their master bedroom Monday. One fire was set in their bedroom and a second fire was set in another bedroom on an opposite end of the house.

The case began to unfold around 9:30 a.m. Monday, after Phoenix police found a burning vehicle near Eighth Place and Rosemonte Drive in north Phoenix. The Jaguar was registered to the Shapiros' home, 5601 N. Delos Circle, about 17 miles away.

Paradise Valley police were alerted and went to the Shapiro home about 10:40 a.m. An officer saw smoke coming from the home and called the Fire Department.

Phoenix firefighters, who serve the town, entered the home and found the two bodies. Their identities were confirmed Thursday through dental records. Police have not publicly commented on the cause of death.

A public memorial service for the Shapiros is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix.

Lawrence Shapiro, a gastroenterologist, co-founded Health Services Advisory Group, a Phoenix-based company that grew under his leadership to become a leading health-care quality-improvement organization. He was still involved as chairman of the board.

The Shapiros supported many civic groups and charities, including the Phoenix Symphony, the Arizona Opera, the Phoenix Art Museum and the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona, where Glenna served nearly 30 years as executive director.

In 2010, they founded the Lawrence and Glenna Shapiro Family Foundation to support charities they loved.

Family members asked that donations be made to the foundation in lieu of flowers: The Glenna and Lawrence Shapiro Family Foundation, 2201 E. Camelback Road, Suite 227B, Phoenix, AZ 85016.

The Shapiros were married for more than 50 years and had three children: Susan of Los Angeles and twins David and Steven of Salt Lake City.